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Theo felt a sudden pang. “What do you mean, dear?” she asked, remembering Lil’s words. Would this mean that Hetty no longer had any need of Vincent?

“Well, that I need not feel guilty about pursuing him,” Hetty said so frankly that Theo sat down with a thud in the seat opposite her.

“Pursuing him?” she said faintly. It seemed funny to think of her sister in the role of ardent pursuer somehow.

Her sister nodded. “Yes. I told him everything of course, everything that transpired with Matthew.” Her expression hardened a moment. “Vincent insists he does not care and that it did not make him look at me any differently.” She shook her head. “He has the most faithful and truest heart in all of England,” she said stoutly. “No one could make me think differently. I know I did not always appreciate his finer qualities,” she said reddening, “but now when I look at him, they are all I see. I am quite mad at myself for not realizing earlier that he is quite the finest man to have ever looked my way. I cannot fathom how I overlooked him all that time.”

Theo smiled. “I am glad,” she said with relief.

Her sister regarded her gravely. “You have never asked me what happened, Theo,” she said gratefully. “I hope you know that I would never have gone to France if I had not believed his initial promise of marriage.”

Theo nodded. “I have always known that,” she said simply.

“Sadly, once we reached our destination, he made it plain that the only role he saw for me was that of his mistress.”

“Hateful beast,” Theo muttered, glad that Sir Matthew had a nasty surprise heading his way.

Hetty nodded. “He had even engaged a luxurious Parisian apartment for me and was most offended when I declined his generous offer. Things went rather sour after that. I was forced to find my own way back to England, without his company, a thing I might add, I was heartily glad to dispense with by that point.”

“He did not ...” Theo could not bring herself to utter the words.

“Force me?” Hetty asked, then shook her head. “No. And now it seems I am to escape my folly entirely without consequences.” She sighed. “Though you and Felix’s livelihood may well suffer due to my actions.” She shot a look at Theo. “You have all tried to shield me, but I am aware my actions have had certain repercussions when it comes to The Parthenon.”

“We are better off without the support of such a stuffy lot of hypocrites,” Theo said roundly. “Really, I have no patience with any of them and never have!”

Henrietta shook her head. “Tell me the truth,” she said softly. “Is the theatre staring ruin in the face?”

“No such thing!” Theo assured her. “Absolutely not. Clem and Felix are already putting their heads together to think of a plan. If you only knew the wage I command now, sister! Really, I think you should consider a career in music hall, for it is most lucrative,” she rattled on, ignoring Henrietta’s expression.

“And even if you do not think The Eagle is for you, there is still Felix’s play!” she said determinedly. “You must read it after me. There is a wonderful part for you, the fair Dorinda who is wooed by three suitors and cannot fathom which is the worthiest. I can see it playing to a full house, I promise you!”

By the time they left the house four hours later, Henrietta was once again her usual composed self and sat sandwiched between Theo and Harold in the hackney cab. She seemed agog at the hustle and bustle of the concert rooms and gazed about her in wonderment as they moved through the rabbit warren that was the backrooms.

“Oi! You, Dora Dabney!” shouted a woman’s voice as they turned the final corner to the performer’s rooms. Theo turned in surprise to find Florrie Foss accosting her in full stage costume. The curvy brunette pointed a frilly parasol in Dora’s direction. “A word with you, young lady, if you please!” her voice rang out.

Theo obligingly turned and waited until the other woman caught them up. “I’m not so sure ‘young’ applies,” she remarked humorously. “I’m fully six and twenty.”

“Not sure ‘lady’ does either,” the other responded promptly. “Not after the way you carry on, on stage.”

Dora smiled but refused to take the bait. “Perhaps not,” she admitted, turning to Henrietta, who was observing their exchange with interest. “Miss Foss, this is my sister Henrietta Fields who has come along to spectate tonight. Henrietta, this is the star turn of the Eagle and Sun and top of its bill, Miss Florrie Foss.”

Hetty assured Miss Foss she was pleased to meet her. Florrie looked Henrietta up and down. “Well now, aren’t you a pretty one,” she said dismissively, then turned back to Theo. “Turns out, I had you all wrong,” she said brisk and business-like, extending her hand. “My friends call me Florrie, you can be one of ‘em, if you like.”

“I would love it!” Theo said, feeling a gratified smile break out across her face. They shook hands, a firm exchange on both sides.

“Let’s go to lunch next week,” Florrie said. “My treat. I want to ‘ear all about it, your beginnin’s and such like.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Theo agreed. “I too would like to hear about yours.”

Florrie nodded. “Wednesday,” she said. “I’ll meet you out front. One o’clock sharp.” Rather like royalty, she sailed past them, her wide skirts skimming the walls on either side of the corridor.

“I see what Harold meant,” Henrietta murmured. “She is rather terrifying, is she not?”

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Theo replied. “Just wait until you see her perform Mr. Mellar’s Prized Marrow. Then you will truly understand Harold’s terror.”

When they reached her dressing room, Theo found its way blocked with a huge bouquet of white tulips and purple hyacinths. Scooping them up, she opened the door and found Lil already in residence.

“There you are!” Lil exclaimed, wheeling around. “So sorry for not showing up this afternoon, sweetheart. I’ll make it up to you I promise.” She stopped abruptly, catching sight of Henrietta.